2001 Saturn SC2 2001 SC2 Pedal Sticking

I have a 2001 SC2 3 door coupe. I was driving the other day on the freeway and had the cruise set at 72. We took a hill and the car coasted to 76. I wanted to take the cruise off and slow down so I tapped the break but it would not disengage. I then pushed the "off button" on the cruise control but it still would not turn off. I began to brake and brought the speed down but realized the accelorator was stuck down. I was able to exit and put the car in neutral at about 20 mph and then turn it off. When I turned it on, the RPMS went WAY high. I exited the car and then I heard a Pop/Thwang. And then I turned the car on and it drove normal for the remainder of the trip. Pretty scary. What is the cause, and what is the fix and how easy?